Over 100 Russian warplanes to relocate to new aerodromes in snap combat readiness check

May 26, 2015, 12:21 UTC+3MOSCOWThe combat readiness check involves about 12,000 troops, up to 250 aircraft and helicopters and about 700 pieces of armaments and military hardware, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. Over 100 warplanes of Russia’s Air Force will relocate to other aerodromes over the next twenty-four hours in a surprise combat readiness check of aviation and air defense troops in the Central Military District, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"The pilots have received flight assignments and started navigation calculations. The pilots will enter the calculation data into onboard aviation systems of aircraft and helicopters," the Defense Ministry’s press office said.

"The avant-garde teams of aviation specialists have arrived at the designated aerodromes where they surveyed and prepared the aerodromes for the reception of aircraft," the press office said in a statement obtained by TASS news agency.

The aircraft of the Central Military District reinforced with groupings from the Western and Southern Military Districts, and also long-range aviation are now concentrating at operational aerodromes.

The surprise combat readiness check will pay enhanced attention to the deployment of the system of aircraft control in field conditions, the organization of support for pilots in new base areas and the relocation of air defense troops by railway.

The surprise check as part of preparations for the Center-2015 strategic exercises started on May 25.

The combat readiness check involves about 12,000 troops, up to 250 aircraft and helicopters and about 700 pieces of armaments and military hardware, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier.